E.ON price hike!

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

jrawle wrote: »

I know they say that, but how does it work in practice? If I apply to switch a couple of days before, there is a 14 day cooling off period because my new supplier notifies my old supplier, so I would be on the standard tariff by that time. Will my old supplier (E.ON) then automatically put me back on the old fixed rate tariff, backdated for that period? Or do I need to contact E.ON beforehand and tell them I am leaving and that I want to remain on my old tariff in the meantime?

The reason I'm so happy to switch (and do every year or two) is that I don't have to deal with my old supplier. I hate having to call customer services and face the hard sell (particularly as I extensively research my options beforehand!) I had to do it once with my mobile contact, and it was a nightmare!

Hi jrawle

As above, provided we're told you're leaving before the end of the Price Protection window, you'll stay on the same prices as now. With the new Faster Switching, transfers usually go through in about two and a half weeks. As Wolf3 says below, to achieve this, the cooling off period runs alongside the switching process.

I'd do as Sunil suggests above and leave enough time to make sure the new supplier applies for your account before the end of the window. Depending on the supplier, applications are often fairly immediate but better to play safe. No need to contact us. Your new supplier will do this.

Hope this helps.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

victor2 wrote: »

But as stated, the problem there is with the cooling off period. Most receiving suppliers will not do anything about the transfer until the cooling off period has passed. Initiate a switch just a few days before the end of your tariff and the supplier you are leaving may not get notified until after they have stuck you on their default standard tariff. They're only obliged to keep you on your current tariff IF they receive notification you are switching away BEFORE the end of the tariff. A "few days" may not be enough time for that to happen.

Hi victor

Since Faster Switching came on stream last year, a change of supplier now goes through in about two and a half weeks. As Wolf3 says and I mentioned above, to achieve this, the cooling off period now runs alongside the switching process. Depending on the supplier, applications are fairly immediate.

I agree, though, better to be safe than sorry and allow enough time for the new supplier to contact us and apply for the account. Provided we're notified within the Price Protection window (open from the date of the renewal notice until 20 working days after the tariff end date), we'll make sure prices are protected and customers aren't defaulted to our standard tariff. Exit fees don't apply when inside the window either. As long as the account is applied for during the window, we'll continue to protect prices even if the loss date is after the window closes.

Hope this is of interest victor.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Wolf3 wrote: »

I believe that used to be the case however this changed when the faster switching system was introduced a while back, the transfer notice is sent almost immediately and the 2 week cooling off period runs in parallel with the registration.

As far as i was aware, as long as Eon receive the loss notice within the 20 day period they will bill on the best prices as Malc quoted

Spot on Wolf3. Provided we're notified within the Price Protection window (open from the date of the renewal notice until 20 working days after the tariff end date), we'll make sure prices are protected and no exit fees are charged.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

victor2 wrote: »

Good info Malc, as usual.
Do you know if the 20 day "extension" of the Price Protection window is industry wide, or just E.On's policy? If it is industy wide, then as previously suggested, it does make sense to initiate a switch in the last few days of a contract, assuming that contract price can't be beaten.

To be honest victor, I don't know if the 20 days is industry wide. Price Protection itself was part of the Retail Market Review undertaken by the Regulator so that bit is fairly universal. I suspect each supplier will have their own particular take on how they put it in to practice though. As above, it's best to allow a bit of time for the new supplier to contact us. Provided they do so whilst within our window, prices will be kept as they are even if the loss date is after the window closes.

Sorry to be a bit vague on this bit victor but glad the other information I've posted is of interest.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

jrawle wrote: »

Thanks for the info. I'm still not quite sure what you mean by the "date on your renewal notice". Does that mean the date my current tariff ends, or the date the e-mail was sent on?

Whether I stay with E.ON or switch supplier, I'd prefer to stay on my current tariff until the end as it's much cheaper than anything available now. If I were to contact a new supplier on the very last day, would I really be kept on my current low E.ON prices for the following few weeks until the switch is complete?

Sorry I wasn't clear about the date of the renewal notice jrawle. This is the date on the email you've received about choosing another tariff. It's not the end date of your current tariff.

From the date on the renewal until 20 working days after the tariff ends you'll be in the Price Protection window whether changing supplier or moving to another of our tariffs. If switching, provided your chosen supplier applies for the account within this time slot, your current prices will be protected. To be honest, I wouldn't leave it until the very last day to start a switch just in case there's a difficulty. If it turns out we don't receive their request before the window closes, you'll automatically default to our standard tariff whilst the switch goes through. Not quite as critical if changing to another E.ON tariff as these switches go through straightaway.

Totally understand your wish to stay on the lower prices for as long as possible jrawle and perhaps I'm being over cautious but wouldn't want to see you lose out.

Malc

sunflowerseeds

I too am coming to the end of my Fixed EON rate. I too would like to stay with them, but it's SO much more expensive than competitors. I could even save against the current fix, so I'm definitely moving. However, I'm finding it frustrating that they are saying there is a new deal on 12th but no details.

By the way, and can someone confirm please, it is my understanding that if you initiate a switch within 50 days of the end of the tariff that exit fees aren't payable?

Wolf3

By the way, and can someone confirm please, it is my understanding that if you initiate a switch within 50 days of the end of the tariff that exit fees aren't payable?

Not sure if its as specific as 50 days, quoted direct from Eon website

You can arrange to switch to another of our tariffs or to another supplier at any time without giving notice. If you switch supplier before we send you your renewal notice we will charge you an Exit Fee, as shown in Your Tariff Details.

System

Wolf3 wrote: »

Not sure if its as specific as 50 days, quoted direct from Eon website

It is an Ofgem ruling that when a customer is on a fixed price tariff the supplier is required to notify the customer that the contract is coming to an end, This notification is to be sent out within the period 49 to 42 days BEFORE the contract end date. Some people take this to mean less than 50 days. Most sensible people either wait for the notification or apply to switch at 41 days or less. From this point onwards, no exit fees can be applied. Once an application to switch is made, the customer will remain on the existing tariff until the switch goes through: 17 days from switch application is the aim but 35 days is the licence condition on switch execution.

Blackdog

Sitting here fingers crossed that the new tariff which is due tomorrow is competitive. I got distracted and haven't started a switch even though my current tariff ends tomorrow but hopefully if Eon does not come up with the goods I can start a switch tomorrow to GB Energy without exit fees. If Eon put me on the standard tariff tomorrow presumably I wont have to pay an exit fee but not sure if I am too late to get my current rate protected until the move. Oh dear only another few hours and I can decide what to do!

Blackdog

Oh dear, no information on the website yet just this message;
We're sorry

We're doing essential maintenance on our switch pages at the moment. We’re sorry for any inconvenience, we'll be back up and running as soon as possible.